2022 October Chamber Horizons Newsletter

CHAMBER HORIZONS

Promoting the Alexandria Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to live, work, play and prosper.

Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

October Listen & Learn Events

Listen & Learn is a one-hour virtual event hosted by the Chamber. It offers information, education and resources on topics that impact the communi ty. Call 320-763-3161 or email info@alexandriamn.org for details. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the public.

Connecting you to Global Markets

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT 12 PM

Virtual event: Register at www.alexandriamn.org.

Learn how your company can success fully tap into global sales opportunities! Whether you need international market research, technical advice on export lo gistics, tips on globalizing your website, or help identifying foreign buyers and partners, the U.S. Commercial Service can assist you.

Chris Petersen International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Minneapolis

Joshua Erickson Program Manager, Contractor, U.S. Commercial Services Rural Export Center, Fargo

DNR Hunting Rules & Safety Talk

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 AT 11AM

Virtual event: Register at www.alexandriamn.org.

Curious about the laws and regulations of hunting in Minnesota? Listen in as Mitch Lawler, Conservation Offi cer for the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR), shares information regarding the major DNR hunting seasons that are upcoming and currently underway for the Fall of 2022. Lawler will largely focus on the safety and common rule questions surrounding hunting.

Mitch Lawler Conservation Officer, Alexandria Station, MN DNR Enforcement

Upcoming Chamber Events

Chamber 101

Tuesday, October 4 from 7:30-8:30 am Alexandria Chamber | Virtual Event Visit alexandriamn.org to register

Ribbon Cutting: BEE Well Clinic

Thursday, October 6 at 2:30 pm

BEE Well Clinic | 510 22nd Ave., Ste. 202A

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, October 7 from 7:30-8:30 am Bell Bank | 1001 Broadway St. Nonprofit of the Day: VFW 936 Alexandria

Listen & Learn

Tuesday, October 11 from 12-1 pm

See details to left on this page!

Ribbon Cutting: Alexandria Public Schools

Early Education Center Tuesday, October 11 at 4 pm

Alexandria Public Schools Early Education Center | 1410 S McKay Ave., Ste. 102

Wake Up Alexandria! Friday, October 21 from 7:30-8:30 am

The Filament | 316 Broadway St. Nonprofit of the Day: Douglas County Developmental Achievement Center

Business & Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD)

Tuesday, October 25 from 11:30 am - 1 pm Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center | 2100 Arrowwood Ln. NW (see pg. 5 for details)

Listen & Learn

Thursday, October 27 from 11 am - 12 pm

See details to left on this page!

Off the Clock

Thursday, October 27 from 4-5 pm

Anderson Funeral Home | 659 Voyager Dr. Nonprofit of the Day: Veterans Memorial Park

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Horizons, USPS 330070, is published monthly by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, MN 56308. Postmaster: Send address changes to Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce | 206 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308 info@alexandriamn.org | 320-763-3161 | www.alexandriamn.org

Chamber

Share #CommitToKindness message on Yard Signs!

We can always use a reminder to be kind to one another. Let’s commit to doing better and thinking before we say or do something.

Share kindness you see in the community or things you’ve done yourself on the Commit to Kindness Facebook and Instagram pages. Commit to being kind!

The Chamber has free window clings, reminder cards, vinyl decals, and now yard signs to help your business spread this message!

Your business can also have a banner personalized with your logo for a fee.

To place your order visit: alexandriamn.org/ committokindness

Thank you for attending our Fall Luncheon

The Chamber of Commerce held its fall luncheon on Monday, September 26 at Broadway Ballroom. More than 140 people attended the event. Patrick Metzger, certified EOS Implementer, business coach, podcast host, and Speaker, spoke on “Discovering and Igniting Your Ultimate Potential.”

He shared his story to help attendees learn how to dis cover their own potential and follow their passion.

Special thanks to our event sponsors:

2023 Chamber Board of Directors slate approved

The Chamber Board of Directors approved its final slate of candidates. These board members will begin their three year terms in January 2023.

Molly Comer, First Lutheran Church

Representing Nonprofit/Service Organizations

Term #2 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25

Kreg Anderson, Alex Municipal Airport

Representing Utilities/Government

Term #2 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25

Matt Hagstrom, Hagstrom Engineering

Representing Construction Services

Term #2 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25

Michelle Wencl, Karrow Jewelers

Representing Retail/Downtown

Term #1 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25

Jeff Meland, Databae Systems

Representing Media/Technology/Communications

Term #1 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25

YOU CAN BANK ON US.

Football and banking have a lot in common, like experienced coaching and trust. First Western is a locally owned, community bank — trusted for over 50 years. We are your friends and neighbors, people you can count on, providing local decision making.

Carlos

Miltona

Patrick Metzger, speaker

Wake Up Alexandria

Wake Up Alexandria is a networking event held the first and third Friday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 am at a Chamber member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a 501(c)3 nonprofit Chamber member.

September Hosts

Kvale Real Estate | Sept. 2

609 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day: The Written Gift

Kvale Real Estate is dedicated to providing clients with quality service and advice for the best experience in real estate transac tions. Their tagline is “Our value is in our advice.” That advice is based on “The Four E’s” – Experience, Expertise, Ethics, Energy.

Pot of Gold Winner

The Chamber celebrated a Pot of Gold winner at Wake Up Alexandria hosted by Kvale Real Estate on Sept. 2!

Safe Families for Children won the Pot valued at $6,094. Pot of Gold donations include discounted services, gift certificates, and promotional items. Sponsoring busi nesses are promoted through Chamber email blasts, at the event, and on the Chamber website. All members are included in the drawing; a representative of the business drawn must be present to win.

Steve Boyd of Safe Families for Children accepted the Pot of Gold prizes on behalf of the organization at the September 2nd Wake Up Alexan dria. The pot was valued at $6,094!

218 3rd Ave. E, Ste. 100

Nonprofit of the Day:

for Kids - MCL Runestone Detachment 1409

The State Farm Insurance – Amy Christopherson agency ranks in the top 1% of State Farm agencies nationwide. It provides auto, motorcycle, boat, home, renters, condo, life, health, busi ness, and ATV/recreational insurance and other policy services.

Welcome! September new members

Bee Authentic Marketing, LLC Sara Stadtherr | 612-207-7697 | 18359 245th St., Glenwood beeauthenticmarketing@gmail.com | beeauthenticmarketing.com

BEE Well Clinic, PLLC Donna Piotter | 320-219-7511 | 510 22nd Ave., Ste. 202A beewellclinic.medspa@gmail.com | beewellclinic-medspa.com

Natures Wave, LLC

Shelly Stanek | 320-237-4161 | 1307 Hwy. 29 N, Ste. 80 shelpfs@gmail.com | natureswavellc.weebly.com

Sparklight Advertising, LLC Sandy Krebs | 320-815-8904 sandy.krebs@sparklight.biz | sparklightadvertising.com

Please consider these new members for your personal and professional needs, and welcome them to our network!

Amy Christoperson - State Farm Insurance | Sept. 16

Membership Team

Volunteers on the Membership Team visit new member businesses to welcome them to the Chamber. They also serve as liaisons, supporting new members with introductions, information, and education on membership benefits.

September Visits

Cardboard Cares receives recycled cardboard from local businesses and packages it to be recycled. The money earned goes toward art supplies and classes for youth. The Card board Cares team works out of the Alex Rubbish building.

Diamond Waves & Wags is located at 5667 State Hwy 29 S in Alexandria. It offers both car and dog washes. The Car wash has various monthly packages and single purchase wash options. The dog wash is self-serve.

Wave Aviation Solutions is an aircraft dealership that assists in buying and selling airplanes and offers aviation insurance. It is owned and operated by Kreg Anderson in Alexandria. Kreg has an extensive background in avi ation, is a commercial pilot, and manages the Alexandria Airport.

Learn ways to optimize your membership at Chamber 101 session

Join us for a Virtual Chamber 101 on Tuesday, October 4 from 7:30-8:30 am to learn more about Chamber programs, events, and membership benefits. Hear from fellow members as they share their experiences of being involved with the Chamber. Visit alexandriamn.org to register. For more information, call the Chamber at 320-763-3161 or email info@alexandriamn.org.

Diamond Waves & Wags CJ Nagel, General Manager

Wave Aviation Solutions Kreg Anderson, Owner

Cardboard Cares Philip Kraft, Executive Director

Ambassadors

The Ambassadors are volunteers who extend the public relations arm of the Chamber. They attend business open houses, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings; welcome new businesses to the area; and commemorate relocations and major remodels. They are out making business visits the second Wednesday of every month.

September Visits

Rebecca and Ron Joyce are owners of a new farm winery called 68 & Vine Veterans Win ery located at 13850 County Rd. 68 N in Miltona. The winery opened in 2020 and features 17 different wines.

Molly’s Dry Goods is a new boutique owned and operated by Katie Uhde. Located at 241 Main St. in Miltona, it offers women’s clothing in sizes small through 3XL, home décor, household items, a small men’s selection, and more.

68 & Vine Veterans WineryNew Business

Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

Productive Alternatives held a ribbon cutting on August 30 to celebrate its new building at 603 22nd Ave. W in Alexandria. The organization offers a variety of social programs serving people going through a crisis, living with disabilities, or unable to secure employment for various reasons. The new building offers more space, separate rooms for programming, and more.

Ribbon Cuttings continued on page 6...

Get your BIAD tickets!

Tickets to the 2022 Business & Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD) luncheon honoring Ollie’s Service as the BIAD award honoree are $30 per person or $300 per table of 10. Tickets may be purchased at livin galexarea.ticketleap.com/biad22/ dates/Oct-25-2022_at_1130AM

The event is Tuesday, October 25 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center

Open house to follow at Ollie’s Service

Molly’s Dry Goods - New Business Harper Uhde, Daughter; Katie Uhde, Owner

Ron Joyce, Owner

Scooter’s Coffee held a ribbon cutting ceremony September 16 to celebrate its grand opening at 55 Carlos Ave. in Alexandria. The company is known for a fast drive-thru, specialty coffee, and baked-from-scratch pastries.

Business Buzz

Palmer Creations, a print, design and publishing company in Glenwood, acquired Estenson Printing at 117 5th Ave. W in Alexandria on Aug. 1. The company is currently renovating the Estenson building and will open its second location there this fall.

Studio 78 Platinum Design welcomed Heather Rolin in the position of Graphic Design – Digital Media. Heather has 15+ years of experience in the graphic design, illustration, and digital design industry. She supports web design concepts for new websites and website redesigns and is lead designer and content creator for Studio 78’s digital signage solutions.

Realty ONE Group Choice held a ribbon cutting/open house event September 16 to celebrate its new space in Alexandria at 316 Broadway St., Ste. 8. The premier brokerage company focuses on “fostering a unique “coolture” where everyONE has a voice.”

Christina Mohr, Client Advisor for Zimny Insurance Agency, recently received the Registered Employee Benefit Consultant (REBC) designation from The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU). NAHU views this designation as the highest form of recognition in the health insurance industry.

Glik’s, the 14th oldest retailer in the U.S., is celebrating its 125th Year Anniversary October 3-9. Glik’s started from a horse drawn wagon, and has grown to more than 70 brick and mortar locations, and an online store.

New Kingdom Healthcare held a ribbon cutting September 22 to celebrate its grand opening at 510 22nd Ave. E, Ste. 103 in Alexandria. It offers wellness and illness primary healthcare for children and adults combining traditional, holistic, and integrative approaches in a judgment free setting.

Marcus Construction announced additions in owner ship by welcoming a pair of third-generations owners, Taylor Marcus and Darin Bushard. Marcus joined the company in 2017 and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. Bushard joined in 2020 and serves as Business Development in the Agribusiness Industries business unit.

To include your business news in the Chamber Horizon Newsletter, email information to Lauren at marketing@ alexandriamn.org.